Edmund spoke again, slowly, as if delivering a verdict.
“You already know.”
Hearing those words again, my eyelids trembled slightly, and my vision seemed to flicker for a moment.
As I stood there, frozen with my mouth slightly open, Edmund gave a faint smile, then quickly erased it.
Come to think of it, there was a time when Lilien had been distant with me. Even then, I had dismissed the thought… Ha. I covered my mouth, holding back a sigh that almost escaped.
Sensing my shock, Edmund spoke in a calm, reassuring tone.
“My sister knew but still forgave you. So don’t let it trouble you.”
“Wait, so back then, when you were subtly avoiding me…”
Edmund averted his gaze and scratched his eyebrow.
“…I found out because of a servant’s mistake.”
Oh no. Overwhelmed, I buried my face in my hands. I swallowed a groan, fighting the sudden urge to rush to Lilien immediately.
My face burned with shame. How foolish I was to remain oblivious until she smiled and forgave me.
But even more embarrassing was the sting of feeling left out. I almost wished she had confronted me and let her anger out.
“And both my sister and I…”
His voice suddenly dropped, making me uneasy. I slowly lifted my head.
His deep-set eyes darkened with a stormy expression. He clenched his teeth, as if recalling something unpleasant.
“Devon. The fact that he used violence against you.”
Violence? I blinked in surprise. Behind Edmund, the bright sunlight illuminated the garden.
‘Ah, that time.’
An unwanted memory surfaced—Devon slapping my cheek, tears slipping down my face.
Given his other cruel acts, it was no wonder Edmund saw me as a victim of domestic violence.
‘Well, he’s not wrong.’
There was no need to correct him. Hitting and kicking weren’t the only forms of violence. Devon had made my married life unbearable.
Edmund exhaled a deep sigh, his shoulders rising and falling as if trying to suppress his anger.
After a moment, he lowered his hand, meeting my gaze. Like winter melting into spring, his eyes softened.
“Please stay at the mansion so I can protect you.”
Was it just my imagination, or did his voice sound almost pleading?
Then, recalling the previous night’s banquet, my mischievous lips moved on their own.
“Can you swear it?”
“Swear what?”
I gazed at his icy-blue eyes, locking onto his sharp stare.
If only I could measure emotions like markings on a scale. But since that was impossible, people resorted to testing each other’s hearts to guess their depth.
I, too, was curious. How far would he indulge my whims and recklessness?
I pulled out an artifact I had been carrying around.
The object, glowing faintly like a ruby, was engraved with an ancient spell.
A bright light spread, revealing a small box resembling a ring case.
With a soft click, I opened it before him, as if presenting an engagement ring.
“It’s a Pact Stone.”
Edmund’s sharp eyes wavered slightly in surprise. He looked at me questioningly.
“As you know, a Pact Stone is a vow made with one’s life.”
Just speaking the word “life” carried a heavy weight.
Even as I said it, I didn’t truly expect him to swear his life. I only wanted him to take it as a warning.
“If you vow on this Pact Stone that you will never harm me, then I won’t leave—”
Before I could finish, Edmund, without hesitation, knelt on one knee before me.
His silver bangs fell forward, brushing his nose.
His gaze on the stone was deep, just like the day we met on the beach. Then, naturally, he took the box.
“Brother?”
He glanced up at me.
“If I make this vow, will you feel safe?”
“Well… yes…”
A vow made at the cost of one’s life—of course, it would be reassuring.
“Then let’s do it.”
“What?”
Before I could react, Edmund pulled out a dagger engraved with the Mipedian family crest and cut his palm.
Not a hint of hesitation.
Drip. Red drops fell onto the white marble. Without even flinching, he held the box with his bleeding hand and let the blood fall onto the stone.
Drip, drop.
Before the blood could spread, a bright light engulfed it. When the glow faded, the stone had completely absorbed the blood.
He met my gaze, his golden eyes glowing with warmth.
“Etricia Buell, I will never harm you.”
“…”
“No matter what happens.”
At that moment, Edmund felt like a sacred, noble figure. Behind his calm voice, the chirping of birds filled the quiet pavilion.
Whoosh. A refreshing summer breeze blew through.
His silver hair swayed like moonlight, framing his gentle gaze.
Lost in thought, I only snapped back to reality when the wind cooled my flushed cheeks.
“W-what did you just do?”
“I know the ritual.”
“That’s not the point! Why did you do it without hesitation—”
Realizing I had raised my voice, I clamped my mouth shut.
‘How ridiculous. I dared him to do it, and now I’m mad?’
But a life-binding vow…! I never expected him to take it so seriously!
I stared at him in disbelief, and he calmly handed me the box.
“Take it. Just a drop of your blood and the spell, and the pact will be complete.”
“No, I don’t want it. It’s too much.”
He frowned slightly.
“Take it. It’s a sign of my trust.”
“No.”
I glanced warily at the box. It was far too heavy a burden. I had only been testing him, thinking of the previous night’s banquet. But now…
I slowly pushed my chair back, but he grabbed its legs and pulled me back.
“Ah, wait—!”
Suddenly, our noses nearly touched.
I froze. His breath brushed my cheek.
Fortunately, Edmund quickly turned away.
“Sorry. I misjudged the force…”
“I-it’s fine!”
Edmund met my eyes, his voice unwavering.
“You have nothing to fear.”
His voice was firm and clear.
Ha… I let out a self-mocking laugh for a moment.
I covered my mouth with the back of my hand and chuckled softly.
Edmund showed a slightly confused expression.
I wiped the smile off my lips and looked straight at him.
“I’ll stay at the mansion. A promise is a promise.”
“Then… do you also believe that I won’t hurt you?”
Heh. I let out a small laugh and brushed aside the hair that had fallen to the side of my face.
Then I looked at him with my eyes gently narrowed.
“I’ve believed that from the start.”
I believed that the person he is now wouldn’t hurt me.
“But still…”
I was afraid of the future.
And I felt lonely and a bit sad.
I was scared of being abandoned again, scared that if I hoped for something and it fell apart, I might never be able to get up again.
That’s why I tried to run away—so I wouldn’t get greedy and wish for something impossible, like wanting to join them inside the banquet hall.
‘Was I… maybe just feeling hurt?’
Maybe that’s why I used the Oath Stone, like I was testing his heart…
Ugh. I held back a groan and tightly shut my eyes.
My face felt hot for a while. I felt so immature.
When I opened my eyes again, Edmund was getting up from his seat.
